Bachelor of Laws - Undergraduate entry

Course summary

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a recognised degree enabling admission as a lawyer throughout Australia. This four-year degree can also be studied as a five-year double degree with either Arts, Business, Legal and Justice Studies, Music, Social Science or Sport and Exercise Science.

The Bachelor of Laws and double degrees with law include on-campus workshops for both on-campus and online students*.

Major areas of study

Students study core units, plus select units from an extensive range of electives to suit their career aspirations. Core units include areas such as Civil Litigation and Procedure; The Philosophy of Law; Environmental Law; Professional Conduct; Evidence; and Australian Criminal Law. Elective units may include areas as diverse as Cyberlaw; Entertainment Law; Victimology; Human Rights; Public Interest Advocacy; Race and the Law; Animal Law; and Ecological Jurisprudence.

Honours is embedded in the Bachelor of Laws degree and requires the completion of two specified Law units in addition to a high academic achievement overall.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts.

Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community.

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge
that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.

Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.

Lifelong learning

Learn and work independently.

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements.

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice.

Communication and social skills

Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.

Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.

Cultural competence

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.

Assessment methods

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. They may include research proposals, research essays, reports, oral and written presentations, case studies, online and class participation, and examinations. The weighting of assessment marks between assignments and examinations also varies.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including face-to-face lectures and tutorials. Some units offer online activities, classes, pre-recorded and/or live lectures. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

The online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive online pre-recorded and/or live lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Attendance at an on-campus workshop for the unit Professional Conduct is a requirement of the Bachelor of Laws for both on-campus and online students. During the workshop students meet with key representatives of the legal profession who address issues of contemporary legal practice and professional conduct. For more information, go to law workshops.

Career opportunities

As barristers or solicitors; or in law-related areas in private, corporate, or government organisations. During their careers graduates can further develop a specialisation in many fields of law such as family law, wills and estate planning, criminal law, corporate law, property and conveyancing law, town planning and environmental law, employment and industrial relations, commercial law, compensation, entertainment law and sporting law.

Professional placement

Law students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.

Professional recognition

Both the Bachelor of Laws undergraduate entry and graduate entry fulfil the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer.

Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should refer to the relevant country’s admission body to confirm their admission requirements.

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Related links

Learning Resources

The School of Law and Justice delivers courses in a blended learning environment using innovative and emergent technologies.

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The resident tutor assists first year students who experience difficulties in understanding their study tasks and/or adapting to tertiary study.

Equipment and facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Students at the Lismore campus also have access to a moot court with a two-way viewing room, which is used for teaching practical skills in a court setting.

Table of contents

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Laws - Undergraduate Entry a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty-two (32) units (384 credit points), comprising:

all units listed in Part A; and

nine (9) units from Part B or Part C, with no more than two (2) units being from Part C; and

six (6) elective units, which may include units from Part B

Units in Part A of the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies may not be included unless these units are in Part B or C of this Schedule of Units, or have been completed prior to admission to candidature.

A candidate who, while enrolled for a double degree with law, has completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Laws may elect to be awarded the Bachelor of Laws following withdrawal from candidature for the Double degree.

Law Degree with Honours

A candidate for the award of Bachelor of Laws with Honours shall fulfil the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws award, and in addition must:

achieve such standard of academic performance as determined by the School Board, School of Law and Justice.

For the award of Honours, consideration shall be given to a candidate’s academic record throughout the course of study. A candidate who has reached the required standard of academic performance may, on the recommendation of the School Board in the School of Law and Justice, be awarded Honours in one of the following grades:

First Class Honours

Second Class Honours – Division I

Second Class Honours – Division II

Advanced standing

A candidate who has completed the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to a total of sixteen (16) units into the undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree.

Notes

Note 1:

Attendance at a compulsory workshop is required.

Note 2:

University-wide Electives include electives from any degree at Southern Cross University but does not include the following units: LAW10157 Australian Legal System, LAW10159 Principles of Contract Law, LAW00052 Introduction to Land Law, LAW00053 Foundations of Torts, LAW00050 Criminal Process, LAW00128 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics, LAW00150 Introduction to Business Law, LAW00004 Company Law, LAW00058 Litigation Practice, LAW00107 Conveyancers Professional Practice, LAW00108 Legal and Conveyancing Practice, LAW10068 Law and Government Decision Making, and LAW10158 Introduction to Evidence and Advocacy. However, candidates who have completed any of these units prior to enrolment in this degree may apply for advanced standing in up to a maximum of six of the above as “University-wide electives” but not as “Part B Law Electives”.

International future students

Current students

Southern Cross University acknowledges and pays respect to the ancestors, Elders and descendants of the Lands upon which we meet and study.We are mindful that within and without the concrete and steel of buildings these Lands always were and always will be Aboriginal Land.